KOTA KINABALU: A total of 38 State Assemblymen each received a special assistance grant of RM100,000 to assist those in need in their respective constituencies.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt said the allocation was intended to allow assemblymen to better attend to the needy in their constituencies and would be channelled into their respective accounts.

Wong said there were several conditions to be satisfied before the funds can be distributed.

“First, the type and rate of special aid for needy persons is fixed at RM200 for cases of disaster, accident or death. For chronic patients and repairs to houses due to natural disasters, the rate is RM500.

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“However, Assemblymen can also approve any kind of allowance that is reasonable but it should not exceed the set ceiling rates,” Wong said when handing over at a 2019 Special Assistance for the needy and Aku Janji ceremony at Wisma Tun Fuad Stephens, Tuesday.

Additionally Wong said aid recipients must be Malaysian citizens residing in Sabah and found to be less fortunate or less capable and priority for the aid is also given to recipients from lower-income groups.

“Assemblymen are also free to use their discretion to approve applications that are judged to be reasonable in relation to the welfare of those in need.

“All applications must also be registered and investigated by the Assembly using the Community Development Leadership Unit (UPPM) services under their respective area and using the special form for the recipient’s details.

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“The assemblymen will decide on all applications and a record book to record applications and the decisions are to be made available, “he said adding that expense reports are to prepared every three months for the special grant matters.

He said the State Social Welfare Department Director is also required to report the progress of the grant expenses to the Ministry of Rural Development Permanent Secretary every six months.

“It is hoped that with this kind of assistance, it will help ease the burden of the people and increase the people’s expectations to their elected representatives through the assistance and attention given.

“At the same time, it also assists the ministry and the Welfare Services Department from the grassroots level,” he said. - Neil Chan